Ever wondered how stamps from other countries look like? Let’s take a short trip and discover the story behind renowned international stamps.
Since stamp collecting has been a popular hobby globally, stamp collectors have been lured with gathering different stamps from around the world and adding them to their collections. Countries such as Great Britain, the United States, and Germany are three of the top-producing countries of distinctive stamps that have really captured collectors’ interests.
Certain factors are considered in determining world stamp values. These include the rarity and age of the stamp, the condition, and its origin. As such, the older or rarer the stamps, the more expensive they are than those printed and released recently. Seasoned collectors who are already accustomed with the buying and selling practice in stamps collecting have more knowledge in appraising the stamps’ value. Considering this, many of the stamp appraisers have made a list of some of the most expensive stamps in the world. Some of them include:
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The Three-Skilling Yellow (also known as 3 skilling banco error of color) for instance, issued in Sweden in 1855, holds the world record as one of the most expensive stamp ever and the only one of its kind, which definitely contributes to its value. This is despite the fact that it has had perforations in one section and a tear repaired. In philately (the study of stamps and postal history and other related items), perforations in stamps are done so to make a less valuable stamp appear more desirable, and repairing or altering a stamp often lessens its value. The Three-Skilling Yellow has also been considered as one of the most controversial stamps of all time, as many experts at one time claimed that it was a fake. Adding controversy to it is when it was priced at $2.3 million in an auction conducted by David Feldman (one of the world’s leading philatelic auction houses). |
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Americans’ Inverted Jenny, otherwise known as Upside Down Jenny or Jenny Invert which was first issued on May 10, 1918 depicting the upside-down design of the Curtiss JN-4 airplane. |
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U.S. Franklin Z-Grill, a 1-cent postage stamp issued in February 1868 bearing the image of Benjamin Franklin. |
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And British’s Mauritius issued in September 1847 in two denominations: an orange-red one penny and a deep blue pence. |
Many of the stamps from other countries range from themes that basically depict a particular country’s history and cultural heritage. Countries such as the US, China, UK, and Canada are very persistent in imprinting faces of significant people to their local stamps. Designs of Canadian stamps, for instance, vary from notable rulers, leaders, and other competent people, to historical places and landmarks, celebrations, among others. Meanwhile, other designs of world stamps depict countries’ historical events, places, and natural animals. Want to see and know more of other countries’ stamps? There are available catalogues and albums of postage stamps from around the world that you can check online.
Having a glimpse of one country’s history and culture has now been made easily through the help of these stamps. Looking for a collection of stamps from other countries? Check our site now and take a deal!
World wide stamp collecting is perhaps the most common type of stamp collection to be found. This comes about, in part, due to the ease with which various stamps from all sorts of different countries can be acquired at low prices or even free versus the demands of a more specialized stamp collection of a single country or topic.
World wide stamp collecting is actually a lot of fun and hugely educational in terms of geography, history, cultures and events. Plus, you have the total freedom to acquire any stamps you see and like, knowing that there is a space for them in your world wide stamp collection.
It is worthy of note that you can build a stamp collection containing about 100,000 stamps for approximately one cent each. Your sources are relatives, friends, neighbors, your workplace and of course those stamp dealers selling stamp packets and country lots. Using these sources provides you with free or very low cost stamps. However, it should be noted, that if you have the chance to acquire more valuable stamps (that you also find attractive) at closeout discount prices, go ahead and grab them. They will add better quality and value to your collection and will improve the overall appearance of your stamp collection.
World wide stamp collections are usually organized by country but can also be by topic or simply random as you find stamps to add to your collection.
Your real challenge is to determine the album or collecting style you want to use. There a number of excellent world wide albums that will hold upwards of 50,000 stamps but they can be pricey, even in good used condition. Such albums are published by Scott, Minkus, Harris and others. Alternatively, many world wide stamp collectors have decided to use home made pages. Such home made pages can be very decorative using modern desk top publishing software together with free clipart off of the internet or made quite simple with just lined or quadrille paper and three ring binders. Please do not use those sticky photo album pages – they destroy the stamps.
Creating a nice looking world wide stamp collection still requires that you follow certain guidelines. These include maintaining the quality of the stamps you add to the collection. You want to avoid putting damaged stamps or stamps with very heavy blotchy cancels into your stamp collection. Don’t forget – you do want to be able to admire your stamps. Also, if you can, use stamp mounts for the mint stamps but it is ok to use stamp hinges for the used (cancelled) stamps. In addition, the organization of the collection, often adds to its attractiveness. By keeping sets of stamps together on the same page with an eye towards an appealing layout can make even common stamps attractive. Be inventive, try unusual layout designs, add pertinent clippings or graphics, add your own commentary. It all makes for an interesting collection that will give you a sense of accomplishment and will be a joy to peruse.
Remember, you are dedicated to the joy of stamp collecting and having fun in the process. If you intent is to make money at stamps we strongly suggest that you carefully read our article on “Hobby versus Investment”.